As the crisp air of autumn rolls into Ukraine, the rescued bears of BEAR SANCTUARY Domazhyr are gearing up for their long winter hibernation — and this year, they’re doing it in the most delightful way imaginable: with a full-blown pizza party. In the wake of #FatBearWeek, the sanctuary’s residents have been enjoying hearty meals and enrichment activities designed to prepare them for the colder months ahead, and this special event added a joyful twist to their routine.
The team at BEAR SANCTUARY Domazhyr — part of FOUR PAWS International, a global animal welfare organization — decided to surprise the bears with a creative and nutritious feast, a special celebration honoring Masha, one of the sanctuary’s beloved bears and the proud winner of #MarchNapness 2025. To make the moment even more meaningful, the sanctuary staff crafted a “bear-approved” pizza recipe that perfectly balances fun, flavor, and nutrition. The result? A meal that captured both the spirit of the season and the sanctuary’s dedication to species-appropriate care.
Each pizza was made entirely from healthy, natural ingredients that any bear (and perhaps even a human) could enjoy.
The crust was crafted from shredded carrots, ground sunflower seeds or walnuts, and a ripe banana for sweetness and stickiness.
Ground flaxseed provided the binding, with just a splash of water for texture. The “marinara” wasn’t your typical tomato sauce—it was a sweet, fruity blend of strawberries or blueberries, apple or pear, and just a hint of date or raisin for natural sweetness.
To top it all off, the caretakers created a creamy cashew-banana “cheese swirl”—a mix of raw cashews, banana, and a touch of coconut water blended into a smooth, luscious topping.
The finishing touches included sliced bananas, chopped apples, carrots, berries, pumpkin seeds, and crushed almonds—each ingredient chosen not just for taste, but for the nutritional balance that keeps the sanctuary’s residents strong and healthy through the changing seasons.
Once the pizzas were assembled, the real fun began. In a scene that felt like something straight out of a wildlife fairy tale, caretakers delivered the pizzas to the bears’ spacious forest habitats, where Masha and her fellow rescued companions dug in with enthusiasm. Watching them explore their “pizzas” was a joyful reminder of how far these animals have come—from lives of hardship, captivity, and neglect to days filled with enrichment, care, and the freedom to be bears again.
Behind the smiles and the viral charm of a bear pizza party lies a serious mission. Many of the bears at BEAR SANCTUARY Domazhyr were rescued from cruel conditions—former circus performers, restaurant attractions, or victims of the illegal wildlife trade. At the sanctuary, they finally experience a life that respects their instincts and dignity. Events like this not only enrich the animals’ daily lives but also raise awareness for the ongoing fight to end animal exploitation.
The caretakers at BEAR SANCTUARY Domazhyr embody the heart of what animal rescue truly means—long hours, unwavering compassion, and an endless commitment to giving each animal the best life possible. Their creativity, seen here through a simple pizza party, reflects an innovative approach to animal welfare that goes beyond food and shelter; it’s about restoring joy, curiosity, and trust to animals who once knew only fear.
If you’d like to support these efforts and ensure that every rescued bear has the resources to thrive, you can donate directly through FOUR PAWS International at their Bear Sanctuary Ukraine donation page. Every contribution helps cover the cost of food, enrichment, and medical care for the sanctuary’s bears as they prepare for their long winter rest.
To learn more about the sanctuary’s ongoing work and other inspiring rescues from around the world, visit the Rescue Network at Sustainable Action Now. This growing network connects compassionate individuals and organizations working together to create a safer, kinder planet for all living beings.
The pizza party at BEAR SANCTUARY Domazhyr wasn’t just a cute viral moment—it was a symbol of transformation. It represented what can happen when humans choose empathy over exploitation, and when care replaces cruelty. These bears, once forgotten, now live in peace amid the Ukrainian countryside, surrounded by love, safety, and the occasional slice of carrot-crust pizza.
And for Masha, the #MarchNapness champion, this year’s celebration was the perfect sendoff into hibernation—a season of rest earned through resilience, care, and a community that refuses to stop fighting for animals everywhere.
Crust
(Sweet, sturdy, carrot-based)
2 cups shredded carrots
1 cup ground sunflower seeds or walnuts
1 ripe banana (for sweetness & stickiness)
2 tablespoons ground flaxseed (binding)
Splash of water as needed
Instructions:
Blend or food process everything until doughy.
Shape into a pizza crust on parchment paper
Optional: Dehydrate for firmer texture but soft is ok too
Fruit Sauce “Marinara”:
1/2 cup strawberries or blueberries)
1/2 cup peeled apple or pear
1 soft date or raisins to taste (optional for extra sweetness)
Splash of water
Instructions:
Blend until saucy. Sweet and fruity
Cashew-Banana Cheese Swirl
1 cup raw cashews (soaked if possible) or shelled sunflower seeds
1 banana
Splash of unsweetened coconut water or water
Instructions:
Blend until creamy.
Toppings
Sliced bananas
Chopped apples
Carrots
A few berries of your choice
Pumpkin seeds or crushed almonds on top
Assembly
Spread the crust – refrigerate or dehydrate for a more solid crust
Add fruit “sauce.”
Dollop on banana cashew “cheese.”
Decorate with toppings
*Chapters*
00:00-00:19 Join us for a Pizza Party!
00:19-01:30 Caretakers Prepare the Bear Pizza
01:30-03:43 Time to Deliver the Pizzas to the Bears!
*FOUR PAWS International*
